Individuals Experience the Power of Forgiveness

The following are real-life stories of God at work in the lives of pastors and leaders. We praise the Lord for the way he is restoring lives through Life Action's outreaches.

• God found me a broken woman. I was harboring so much bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart. I was hurting so much and didn't even realize I was hurting other people because I was hurt. The revivalist's message on Tuesday night was the most powerful message I have ever been exposed to. There were several people in my life that no matter how much they had wronged me, I apologized and was able to be forgiven. Thank you so much, Lord, for Life Action and for opening my eyes.

• God found me a bitter pastor's wife. I wasn't even aware that I was bitter. I had created an atmosphere of bitterness and complaining in my home. God revealed to me that my anger was really toward the Lord.

• God found me hating my father. I was unable to sleep some nights because of him. But God changed that. He gave me the power and courage to forgive my father.

• Eleven years ago, I committed adultery with our former pastor. His wife was dying of cancer at the time. My husband forgave me, but his wife never would before she died. I longed to be forgiven by those in my church. The revivalist gave me the opportunity to confess, apologize, and ask the whole church to please forgive me. It's like I've been set free! It has brought healing to my life and the life of my church.

• I was sexually abused by someone I thought was a friend, and I was never able to forgive him until now. Who are we to decide what punishment someone should get for their transgressions? That is God's job, not ours. This week God has helped me see that, and the wounds have begun to heal. Thank you so much for being here this week.

• God found me bitter and full of anger that I was failing my family as the leader of our home; in my work, as I refused to accept and submit to authority; and in my church, as I refused to use the gifts God has given me to function as part of the body. I have learned that through God's sovereignty, I can lift up that anger and bitterness, forgive the cause, and be free from the bondage it creates.

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